Writing implement for persons with greatly impaired or lost eyesight

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns writing implements or devices, especially for use by persons who have lost partial vision or completely lost eyesight.

United States Patent 1 1 Essmann 1 1 Jan. 30, 1973 54] WRITING IMPLEMENT FOR PERSONS 3,193,947 7/1965 v Dean ..35/3s WITH GREATLY IMPAIRED ()R L T 3,386,191 6/1968 Michel ..3s 3s EYESIGHT [76] Inventor: Carl J. Essmann, 82-38 235th Street, Queens Village, NY. 1 1427 [22] Filed: Nov. 17, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 199,524

[52] US. Cl ..35/38 [51] Int. Cl ..G09b 21/00 [58] Field of Search ..35/36, 37, 38

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 490,086 1/1893 Saum ..35/38 Primary Examiner-Wm. H. Grieb AttorneyJ. B. Felshin ABSTRACT The present invention concerns writing implements or devices, especially for use by persons who have lost partial vision or completely lost'eyesight.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmao 197a SHEET 1 OF 2 I m, I, I

PAT-ENTEDJAN 30 W5 SHEET 2 [IF 2 WRITING IMPLEMENT FOR PERSONS WITH GREATLY IMPAIRED OR LOST EYESIGHT The writing device according to the invention comprises essentially an upper, substantially flat and slotted surface which forms part of an elongated box-shaped carrier, preferably without a bottom wall to facilitate easy access to the parts of the transmission mechanism. This mechanism includes a rack recessed in said slotted surface, the rack being cooperable with a ratchet or pawl to facilitate sliding and stepwise movement of a paper holder operatively connectable with said rack, which, in turn, is located below said slotted surface.

An actuator is positioned adjacent the surface of the device for operating the ratchet into engagement with the rack, the stroke of the ratchet being variable to take into consideration the height of lettering achieved by a blind person, whose writing operation is performed in a selected guide slot provided in a cover plate swingably arranged with respect to said paper holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention tends to solve a problem, which presents itself to blind persons, who require a most simple writing device, which does not necessitate any dexterity on the part of the blind person and can be readily and easily manipulated without distorting the natural hand-writing characteristics of such person.

It is another aim of the invention to provide means automatically indicating the approach of the end of the line written by a blind person and the end of the writing surface approached by a blind person during writing action.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide means employing sound and mechanical appliances in a portable writing aid device in order to automatically and effortlessly effectuate a blind persons writing guide substantially without upsetting and confusing the blind writer.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of means facilitating writing of letters and envelopes by a blind person requiring only a few manipulations by the persons fingers in order to enhance the speed and manual operation of such person in securely carrying out pen or pencil writing actions in a natural manner (rightor left-handed) and without any outside help.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means affording properly and equally spacing the lines along which the blind person is able to write, abutment means being employable to take advantage of a blind persons natural feel and sensitivity to always remain within a given writing space or slot of the device embodying the invention.

With these and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and disposition of certain parts hereinafter disclosed and more fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more specifically set forth in the attached claims. Changes or modifications may be made in the form, size, proportion and details of the construction of the device, without departing from the aspects of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the device embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the device ofFIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a partial and sectional view, somewhat enlarged and taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3a is a fragmentary view of a modified slot structure of the cover plate.

FIG. 4 is an exploded and schematic view of some of the specific parts shown in perspective employable in the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring more specifically to the attached drawings there has been disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 the writing device pursuant to the invention, the metal housing of which is rectangular in shape and has practically no bottom in order to afford ready access to the vital parts of the device. These parts consist of a toothed rack 11, a ratchet 12 with abutment 13, a shaft 15 connected with an actuator or lever 14 located at the outer surface of one of the long side walls 16 or 17, as the case may be. Further attached to the bottom face 18 of slotted top wall 20 is an alarm mechanism 19 which is respectively connected to the metal housing and to two spaced electric alarm contact springs 19a and 19b which are placed into the path of a contact piece 21 affixed to the underface of rack 11, when the same advances during writing operation, to make first contact with spring 19a and subsequently to close contact at spring 19b for signalling or buzzing that the writing platform is approaching the upper end of the writing surface, as will be later explained.

As can be seen from FIG. 1 the top wall surface 20 carries and slidably retains in longitudinal frame pieces 22 the platform 25 with writing paper 23, the latter being held in place by means of a clamp device 24, known per se. The writing paper 23 is also locked in position by means of two side rails 26 which engage the frame pieces 22 for guiding the platform.

Fixed on the frame pieces is a pair of holders 27 carrying a swingable cover plate 30 which is pivoted at 28. Cover plate 30 has an adjustable writing slot mechanism 35, which besides writing space slot 31 carries on pivotable arms 32 a feeler element 33 in the form of a cross-pin over which is slidable a telescoped tubular piece 33a, which is spring-supported at 34 and carries a feeler piece 36 at its end for a purpose later set forth. The end of cover plate 30 has a handle grip 37 to facilitate swinging said plate about pivots 28.

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a platform 25 with writing paper 23 thereon and somewhat advanced beyond cover plate 30 whose uppermost end edge 30a carries a slot 38 for receiving the forward end of clamp device 24 in fully retracted position of platform 25.

On the outer side wall surface 16 of the device 10 there is disposed an actuator lever 14 which is spring supported at Ma, so that lever 14 when moved together with shaft 15 in the direction of arrow X swings from abutment 39 to adjustable abutment 40 for a purpose later referred to. Shaft 15 is rotatably supported by posts 41, 42, while ratchet 12 is normally held by means of the action of spring 43, pin 44 and further by retraction spring 14a in a position in which the end 12b comes to rest on abutment 13, while the forward effective end 12a normally just clears the toothed rack 11. For the sake of clarity it may be disclosed that ratchet 12 is pivoted on a pin a which reaches between two levers 47, 48 fixed on shaft 15 and movable together with the latter upon swing movement of actuator 14.

Abutment 13 in the form of a lever is attached to the underface at 13a of the top plate through which extends the longitudinal slot 20a, in which is slidable rack 11 which is joined to the underface of platform 25. The teeth 1 1a of said rack cooperate with ratchet tooth 12a upon swinging movement of actuator 14 together with shaft 15, as above mentioned.

The operation of the writing device may be readily understood from the foregoing disclosure. However, it appears necessary to further explain various desirable operational features and manipulations which take into consideration more realistic and highly efficacious instrumentalities of great practical value.

After platform with paper 23 clamped thereon at 24 has been slidably moved to its lowermost and extreme position swingable cover plate is swung thereon, the slot 31 thereof overlying paper 23. Slot 31 may be varied in height taking into consideration the customary handwriting and lettering of a person, whether the person is accustomed to apply larger or smaller letters. In such cases the writing slot part 31b may be shifted along grooves 32a of arms 32 to change the distance between transverse edges 31a and 31b for the sake of individual convenience. When the blind person is right-handed he writes till a slight pressure is encountered by means of the pressure exerted by a spring-actuated feeler piece 36. Thus the person will realize that the writing space left along line edge 31a approaches a certain limit and will stop or will continue to just write down a further and rather short word.

The person will thereafter operate lever 14 and will realize through change of engagement or abutment of lever 14 with a selected part of a handle-operated adjustment cam surface which distance one written line from the next line to be written is to be had. If the person is left-handed it will be well understood, that lever 14 may be arranged on the right hand side wall surface 17 of the device, for which purpose shaft 15 can be prolonged to pass also through said side wall surface 17. Suitable openings (not shown) may be provided to arrange the stationary abutment 39 and rotata ble cam surface stop 40 then at said surface 17 without changing the remainder of the advance transmission mechanism as shown and described with respect to FIG. 4.

'Thus the writing device according to the invention is structured not only to envisage the writing habits of a person (large lettering or small lettering), but also whether a person is rightor left-handed.

Furthermore the adjustment of the cam-shaped abutment 40 determines the degree or amount of advance (through the various transmission means hereinabove mentioned) of the toothed rack and consequently of the writing paper'23 on platform 25.

In order to further put the blind person at ease there are provided on the lower platform surface contact strip or piece 21 which first closes and then opens an alarm circuit at 19a to cause a slight buzzer tone, as a preliminary attention signal, which is then followed by a full service signal at 19b which upon engagement with contact piece 21 indicates that the writing paper has been completely used up.

As a consequence a new sheet of paper may be readily clamped at 24 and platform 25 may be slidably moved again to its lowermost starting position while cover plate 30 either has remained in said position or was swung upward (FIG. 2) in order to adjust the writing slot area between 310 and 31!) or 31c, as the case may be. Thereafter the paper surface becomes smoothened out on the platform, if necessary, or is pressed down and held evenly onto the writing platform. Moving of cover plate 30 about pivots 28 can be easily achieved by grasping handle grip 37 as is well understood.

Reverting briefly to'the operation of the aforementioned transmission means, it will become quite clear that lever parts 47 48 are swingable together via shaft 15 about journal posts 41, 42 which are fixed to underface of top plate 20 (not shown). Pin 15a is a pivot of pawl 12 which swings together with levers 47 48 as the same are coupled together by pin 46 in predetermined position.

A strong retraction spring 14a acts normally at 46a on shaft 15 and actuator 14 so that the latter will be located against fixed abutment 39 while levers 47, 48 under the spring action cause pawl 12 to swing about pin 15a, thereby to keep tooth 12a of pawl 12 normally in out-of-engagement position with any of the teeth 1 1a of rack 11. During such action coil spring 43 will be compressed.

When lever 14, however, swings to a selected face position of adjustable cam surface 40, then a greater or smaller pivotal movement of shaft 15 will be had, which causes tooth 12a of pawl 12 to become engaged with one of the spaced predetermined teeth 11a of rack l 1. Thus the degree of advance of rack together with platform 25 may be regulated which moves on top plate 20 and relative to cover plate 30 (see written line abcde above edge 30a). When lever 14 is thus operatively actuated and swung, spring 43 will be compressed and spring 14a will be expanded which returns the same upon release of lever 14 (contrary to arrow X) to starting position against stop 39, the spring 14a contracting while arm 12b of pawl 12 is pressed about pin 15a to assume also its starting position at 13 (out of contact with the rack teeth).

Regulation of the effective writing space area in regard to its height becomes apparent from FIG. 3a, in which the above feeler device 33-36 has been omitted for the sake of clarity. FIG. 1 depicts afree writing space between the upper ends of rails 26, where may be arranged a separate label, envelope or the like (not shown) to provide sufficient width or space for writing across this area. FIG. 3a specifically shows a part of a displaceablestrip 30a to be employed for being shifted and guided (see arrows) along slit or groove 32a of arm 32 till edge 31:; and edge 310 are sufficiently spaced apart. An adjustment screw 32b on each arm 32 (one partial area being only indicated in FIG. 3a) engages and thus affixes the position of strip 30a in a manner that the effective writing area is determined by the distance of edges 31a and 310. The edge 31a may be also used to draw a horizontal line (not shown) on plain paper to write thereon (see Abcde" within guide slot area 31). When platform 25 reaches its uppermost position, a paper sheet 23 will be removed from platform 25, so that same may be then slidably moved to its lower-most or starting position. It is to be observed that cover plate 30 may be swung about 180, so that paper may be securely placed between guide rails 26 and retained by clamp 24. Cover plate 30 is then swung back to its initial position as seen in FIG. 1 in full lines.

It can thus be seen, that there has been provided according to the invention a writing implement or device especially for the purpose disclosed, which principally consists of a housing with a horizontal top wall 20, which is provided with an oblong central passageway or slot a, a platform provided with means 24, 26 for retaining writing paper 23 thereon, an oblong cover plate independent from said platform and structured for swinging movement at 28 relative to said platform, said cover plate 30 being provided with a slot 31 of preselected dimension, which extends intransverse direction of said cover plate to define an effective writing area when said cover plate with said slot exposes a part of the paper on said platform, and movement transmission means 11, 12, 14, 15, 39, and 14a, 43 operatively connected to the platform to displace the latter a predetermined measure (between 39 and 40) relative to the top wall 20 to expose for writing purposes successive writing areas 31 through a regulated slot 31a, 31b.

It is to be noted that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific embodiment herein shown and described, but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without deviating from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its advantages.

What is claimed is:

l. A writing implement for persons with partially or totally impaired eyesight comprising a carrier forming a housing provided with side walls and a top wall, said top wall having an upper surface, an underface and a longitudinal central slot through which extends a slidably toothed rack, movement transmission mechanism located below said top wall and including a ratchet operable to engage the teeth of said rack in predetermined succession and to move said rack, actuator means positioned for movement adjacent at least one of said side walls, a shaft supporting said actuator means and said ratchet and rotatably carried by the underface of said top wall, a paper supporting platform guided along the upper surface of said top wall, and a cover plate hinged to said top wall and provided with a writing guide slot defining a writing area, said guide slot exposing to view said writing area of said platform, which is operatively connected to said toothed rack, said guide slot including a guide edge determining across said platform an imaginary writing line along and above which writing takes place, said actuator means when moved transmits movement via said ratchet to slidably advance said platform relative to said slot of said cover plate and to its guide edge.

2. An implement according to claim 1, including a feeler element located adjacent said guide slot and extending across said hinged cover plate, said feeler element being equipped with a spring-actuated feeler piece which predetermines the end of the line edge defining said guide slot.

3. An implement according to claim 1, including respective abutment means against which said actuator means may be moved for a stop thereby to determine the stroke of said ratchet relative to the teeth of said rack and toset the advance slide movement of said paper carrying platform along said top surface and relative to said guide slot of said cover plate.

4. A writing device for persons with greatly impaired eyesight; comprising in combination, an elongated, substantially' flat housing having a top wall, opposite side walls depending from said top wall, said top wall beingprovided with an elongated, centrally located passageway and with lateral guide rails overlying said side walls at said top wall, a platform movable along said lateral guide rails, means retaining in position one or more sheets of writing papers on said platform,

movement transmission means for said platform and located below said top wall and within the space between the latter and said side walls, said transmission means including a pawl, a toothed rack guided in said passageway and connected to the platform, the teeth of said rack facing said pawl for operation by the latter, a shaft extending across said side walls and provided with actuating means and supporting said pawl, said actuating means operating via said pawl the advance movement of said platform and paper thereon, and cover means arranged for swinging movement with respect to said platform and provided with a rectangular transverse slot determining the writing area when in engagement position on said platform.

5. A writing device according to claim 4, including two spaced apart stops on one of said side walls, said actuating means forming a lever movable between said spaced stops to control the operation of said pawl via said shaft with said teeth of said rack, one of said stops being cam-shaped to facilitate variations of movement of said actuating means and of operation of said pawl relative to said toothed rack to vary the advance movements of said platform and paper thereon.

6. A writing device according to claim 4, including means displaceable on said platform and provided with an edge extending in transverse direction to said platform and cooperable with said transverse slot of the latter to vary the height of the writing area defined by said slot.

7. A writing device according to claim 4, including elongated means located adjacent one of the edges defining said transverse slot and constituting a springsupported feeler element for leading a writing person towards the lateral end of said horizontal edges to effectively limit the writing area in widthwise direction.

8. A writing device according to claim 4, said actuating means being a swingable lever connected to said shaft without said housing, at least one of said side walls being provided with an opening in which said shaft is journalled and operatively connected with said pawl in order to facilitate predetermined paper advance movement of said platform relative to said cover means.

9. A writing device according to claim 4, including signal means locatedv beneath said top wall and actuatable by a portion of said rack, when the latter advances along said passageway together with said platform to a predetermined distance along said top wall.

10. The combination, in a writing device, in particular for persons with impaired or lost eyesight, of a housing having a horizontal top wall provided with an elongated central passageway, with a platform movable along said top wall and provided with means for retaintioned substantially below said top wall and including means guided in said elongated passageway and operatively connected to said platform to displace the latter a predetermined measure relative to said top wall and to said cover plate thereby to expose to view successive writing areas through said slot. 

1. A writing implement for persons with partially or totally impaired eyesight comprising a carrier forming a housing provided with side walls and a top wall, said top wall having an upper surface, an underface and a longitudinal central slot through which exteNds a slidably toothed rack, movement transmission mechanism located below said top wall and including a ratchet operable to engage the teeth of said rack in predetermined succession and to move said rack, actuator means positioned for movement adjacent at least one of said side walls, a shaft supporting said actuator means and said ratchet and rotatably carried by the underface of said top wall, a paper supporting platform guided along the upper surface of said top wall, and a cover plate hinged to said top wall and provided with a writing guide slot defining a writing area, said guide slot exposing to view said writing area of said platform, which is operatively connected to said toothed rack, said guide slot including a guide edge determining across said platform an imaginary writing line along and above which writing takes place, said actuator means when moved transmits movement via said ratchet to slidably advance said platform relative to said slot of said cover plate and to its guide edge.
 1. A writing implement for persons with partially or totally impaired eyesight comprising a carrier forming a housing provided with side walls and a top wall, said top wall having an upper surface, an underface and a longitudinal central slot through which exteNds a slidably toothed rack, movement transmission mechanism located below said top wall and including a ratchet operable to engage the teeth of said rack in predetermined succession and to move said rack, actuator means positioned for movement adjacent at least one of said side walls, a shaft supporting said actuator means and said ratchet and rotatably carried by the underface of said top wall, a paper supporting platform guided along the upper surface of said top wall, and a cover plate hinged to said top wall and provided with a writing guide slot defining a writing area, said guide slot exposing to view said writing area of said platform, which is operatively connected to said toothed rack, said guide slot including a guide edge determining across said platform an imaginary writing line along and above which writing takes place, said actuator means when moved transmits movement via said ratchet to slidably advance said platform relative to said slot of said cover plate and to its guide edge.
 2. An implement according to claim 1, including a feeler element located adjacent said guide slot and extending across said hinged cover plate, said feeler element being equipped with a spring-actuated feeler piece which predetermines the end of the line edge defining said guide slot.
 3. An implement according to claim 1, including respective abutment means against which said actuator means may be moved for a stop thereby to determine the stroke of said ratchet relative to the teeth of said rack and to set the advance slide movement of said paper carrying platform along said top surface and relative to said guide slot of said cover plate.
 4. A writing device for persons with greatly impaired eyesight; comprising in combination, an elongated, substantially flat housing having a top wall, opposite side walls depending from said top wall, said top wall being provided with an elongated, centrally located passageway and with lateral guide rails overlying said side walls at said top wall, a platform movable along said lateral guide rails, means retaining in position one or more sheets of writing papers on said platform, movement transmission means for said platform and located below said top wall and within the space between the latter and said side walls, said transmission means including a pawl, a toothed rack guided in said passageway and connected to the platform, the teeth of said rack facing said pawl for operation by the latter, a shaft extending across said side walls and provided with actuating means and supporting said pawl, said actuating means operating via said pawl the advance movement of said platform and paper thereon, and cover means arranged for swinging movement with respect to said platform and provided with a rectangular transverse slot determining the writing area when in engagement position on said platform.
 5. A writing device according to claim 4, including two spaced apart stops on one of said side walls, said actuating means forming a lever movable between said spaced stops to control the operation of said pawl via said shaft with said teeth of said rack, one of said stops being cam-shaped to facilitate variations of movement of said actuating means and of operation of said pawl relative to said toothed rack to vary the advance movements of said platform and paper thereon.
 6. A writing device according to claim 4, including means displaceable on said platform and provided with an edge extending in transverse direction to said platform and cooperable with said transverse slot of the latter to vary the height of the writing area defined by said slot.
 7. A writing device according to claim 4, including elongated means located adjacent one of the edges defining said transverse slot and constituting a spring-supported feeler element for leading a writing person towards the lateral end of said horizontal edges to effectively limit the writing area in widthwise direction.
 8. A writing device according to claim 4, said actuating means being a swingable levEr connected to said shaft without said housing, at least one of said side walls being provided with an opening in which said shaft is journalled and operatively connected with said pawl in order to facilitate predetermined paper advance movement of said platform relative to said cover means.
 9. A writing device according to claim 4, including signal means located beneath said top wall and actuatable by a portion of said rack, when the latter advances along said passageway together with said platform to a predetermined distance along said top wall. 